Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates India’s First Maritime Simulation Centre in Chennai and Indian Ship Technology Centre in Visakhapatnam.

In September 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), inaugurated India’s first Maritime Simulation Centre at the Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) Knowledge Park near Chennai and virtually inaugurated the Indian Ship Technology Centre (ISTC) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant step toward advancing India’s maritime education, ship design, and self-reliance in shipbuilding.

      - The centre has been established with an investment of ₹13.5 crore, including financial support of ₹6.5 crore (USD 750,000) from the AP Moller Foundation. It is located at AMET Knowledge Park’s Maersk Centre of Excellence near Chennai.

      - Equipped with advanced systems, the Maritime Simulation Centre provides cadets immersive, hands-on training in vital maritime skills such as watchkeeping, steering, collision avoidance, navigation light identification, and engine troubleshooting.

Main Point :-   (i) The ISTC, inaugurated virtually at the Indian Maritime University (IMU) Visakhapatnam campus during its 10th Convocation, serves as a hub for indigenous ship design, research, consultancy, and skill development.

      (ii) The centre aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign ship designs and enhance domestic capabilities, with the long-term goal of making India a global leader in shipbuilding by 2030.

(iii) The ISTC has been developed with a total investment of ₹305 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure and technology ecosystem.